Students take a green approach to building

Going green is the new trend in building. Atlantic Community High School's Eagle's Nest Construction Academy is putting that trend into practice.

Students completed the academy's second family home using energy-efficient building materials and appliances. On April 10, the community toured the home at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The house was designed and built by students. The project took three years and a total of 120 students to complete.

In partnership with the city, local businesses and agencies, the school is able to secure support and donations for state-of-the-art green materials.

Walls are constructed of insulated concrete forms. The 4-inch-thick walls consist of a polystyrene material similar to concrete block and reinforced with steel for hurricane resistance. Its R-value (a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry) is R-22 to 24. A typical house may have an R-value of R-4 to 8.

Tim Sachse, the construction instructor, said, "Our walls almost triple the amount of resistance in thermal density, the change from outside heat to inside heat. That cuts down on air conditioning use."

The roof's interior is sealed with Icynene, a spray-in-place, soft foam insulation, which further reduces energy costs related to cooling.

The home's impact glass windows eliminate the need for hurricane shutters and also have a higher R-value than most.

"You can sit in the house and watch the hurricane go by," Sachse said.

The house is stocked with a complete set of Energy Star certified appliances. It's move-in ready and will be sold to a low-income family through an application process with the Delray Beach Community Land Trust.

Drafting students are already at work designing the next Eagle's Nest house. That project will ramp up in the fall.

As students work their way through the program, they get insight into possible career paths and take away practical skills.

"The goal is that they will go into the industry or go to college in the construction field," said Sachse. "But they can use these skills anywhere."

Through the course they get hands-on practice with hand tools, power tools, measuring, plumbing, roofing, and hanging windows and doors.

One student said, "This teaches all stuff that I can use to help my neighborhood, or myself, or my family at any time," Sachse said.

Education outside the classroom is more than reading, writing and arithmetic, he said.

"It incorporates teamwork, integrity and respectfulness - the things you want a community member to have. It gives them the opportunity to be leaders and builds pride."

The completed homes stay with students forever, Sachse added.

"Some seniors may not see the finished product, but they come back and know what they did on the house, and it's special to them," he said.